Slide fastener



March 13,1945. NORTON 2,371,309

I I SLIDE FASTENER Filed June 15, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR aATTORNEYS March 13,1945. 5. H. NORTON SLIDE FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed June 15, 1945 INVENTOR BYM fia ATTORNEY s Patented Mar. 13, 1945UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

My invention relates to separable fasteners and more particularly to thetype known as slide fasteners.

Heretofore, it has been the practice in pro ducing slide fastenerscomprising interlocking members arranged along the edges of the elementsto be fastened together, to fix these members with relation to thesupport on which they are carried. It will be seen, therefore, that suchconstructions could not be employed to releasably fasten together tworigid side members. In the former practice the side members to whichseparable slide fasteners have been applied have been limited toflexible material such as fabric or flexible sheet or mesh since inoperating the slide to interlock the respective opposing fasteningdevices these devices approach the slide at decreasing angles until theyare engaged and interlocked. Since these fasteners were fixed to theirsupport, the support must be flexible to permit this changing angulardisposition of the fasteners.

It is one of the objects of my invention to provide a separable slidefastener which may be applied to releasably secure together rigidmembers as well as non-rigid members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a separable, slidefastener in which the interlocking fasteners are pivotally or rotatablysecured to their respective supporting members.

Another object consists in providing a slide fastener of the typedisclosed which is particularly useful in fastening together rigidmembers on which they are supported whereby to afford desirable meansfor quickly and easily connecting parts of objects which may be ofconsiderable weight or which may be placed under heavy strains andstresses in use.

A further object consists in providing a separable slide fastener whichis provided with means at each end thereof to limit the motion of theslide and to prevent the same from be coming detached from the fastenerand also to provide means at one end of the slide fastener for detachingthe respective side members of the device without removing the slidefrom the fastener while at the same time permitting the side members tobe reassembled in proper rela-' tion to each other to insure properactuation of the slide and interlocking of the fastening members.

A further object of the invention consists in providing a separableslide fastener in which the interlocking fastening devices are pivotallyor rotatably mounted on side supports. and providing a slide with meansfor progressively engaging portions of the interlocking members as theslide is operated to interlock or to disengage the fastening devices asthe slide is moved therelong.

A still further object of the invention consists in providing aplurality of similar interlocking members along adjacent edges orparallel supports and adapted to interlock with adjacent fasteningdevices of the respective supports when a slide member engageable withthe interlocking members is moved along said supports in one directionand adapted to be disengaged by said slide when the slide is moved inthe opposite direction, said fastening devices of each support being soformed that when they are released from engagement with adjacentfastening devices or other supports, that they will be interlocked withadjacent fastening devices on the one support to maintain them in lockedposition with respect to each other but unlocked with respect to theadjacent dwices of the opposite support.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a slide fastener of thetype described a slide member having a plurality of cams engageable withportions of the interlocking devices which it operates to rotate them inone direction for interlocking engagement with one another and in anopposite direction for disengaging said devices.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparentas the following description of two embodiments thereof progresses,reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which likereference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of one form of my invention showingportions of the slide broken away for purposes of clearness. In thisfigure the interlocking members are rotatably supported on rigid sidemembers.

Figure 2 is a bottom end view of the device shown in Figure 1.

' fastener of the type shown in Figure 1, but shows the same carried bya semi-flexible support such as a fabric of fiber or a wire fabric.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the interlocking members orfastening devices.

Figure 5 is a front perspective view of one of the slide member sectionsshowing the cam surfaces for engagement with the interlocking members.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the slide grip carrying member whichalso serves to secure the slide sections together.

Figure 7 is a view similar to that in Figure 5 showing the other orcomplementary section of the slide, likewise having cam surfacesengageable with the interlocking members.

Figure 8 is a view of the lower stop member and one of therigid sidemembers shown detached.

Figure 9 is a front elevation of a second .embodiment of my inventionwhich is similar in many respects to that form shown in Figures 1 to 8,inclusive, but illustrates a modified form of the interlocking membersand slide by which the locking members are interlocked and disengaged.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary detailed side elevation of the upper end ofone of the side members shown in Figure 9 showing the upturned flangewhich acts as a stop for the slide when the slide approaches that end ofthe device.

Figure 11 illustrates the manner of forming the interlocking membersfrom a stamping and shows the blank in full lines and the formed memberin broken lines.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the slide and adjacent sidesupporting members and illustrates the manner in which the slide engagesand disengages the interlocking members. a

Figure 13 is a section taken on line 13-13 of Figure 12.

I will first describe the construction and operation of that embodimentof my invention as illustrated in Figures 1 to 8. inclusive.

In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown the interlocking members as beingmounted on rigid side supporting members I and 2, these members beingarranged in parallel relation and spaced apart to permit rotation of theinterlocking members or fastening devices 3 carried by the respectiveside members.

Each of the fastening devices is of a fdrm shown more clearly in Figure4 and can be made inexpensively from stampings and the arms bent towardeach other to form a substantially U-shaped cross section. Each membercomprises the parallel arms 4 and 5 and a head or end portion 6, each ofthe arms being apertured in alignment at I whereby the unit may bepivotally mounted to swing or rotate on the side members I and 2 bymeans of a pin 8.

In the construction shown, the head portion 5 of each fastener is flatacross the top and is provided with laterally extending lugs orinterlocking projections 9 and 9'. Each of the arm portions of the unitis provided with notches on one side as indicated at Ill-l and ll-I l,the notches l0 and It) being nearer the head portion 6 while the notchesH and II are located closer to the axis of rotation as defined by theapperture I.

As will be seen from the drawings, the interlocking or fastening members3 are pivotally or rotatably mounted along the inner edge of each of therigid side members I and 2 so that the head portions of the respectiveunits 3 project toward each other, the arms 4 and of each unit overlyingthe inner edge of the respective rigid members I and 2. The inner endsof the arms 4 and 5 terminate in a tooth or abutment l2 and I3-respectively for sliding engagement with the cam surfaces formedinternally of a slide member 14 as will be fully described hereinafter.In the illustration the tooth I3 projects longitudinally of the arm 5while the tooth l2 extends transversely of the arm 5'. It will be notedthat the notches i0 and III are formed on opposite sides of each of thearms 4 and 5 to receive the respective lugs or projections 9 and 8' ofthe adjacent and oppositely disposed fastening members when the slide ismoved to interlock such members.

One of the supporting members I carries an end stop l5 which is shown indetail in Figure 8 and which comprises a body grooved along one edge asat I6 to receive the inner edge of the supporting member I. Rivets I!may be employed to permanently fix the stop member to this support. Theopposite side of the stop member is also grooved as at l8 to removablyreceive the inner edge of the corresponding supporting member 2. Alocating pin is extends through the body portion of the stop l5 andthrough the groove and provides a means for properly locating andassembling the side supporting side member 2 therein, the latter beingnotched at 20 to receive the pin is when the parts are assembledtogether.

In Figure 3 I have illustrated the invention as applied to a semi-rigidobject such as a wire fabric which is indicated at 2|. In thisapplication of the invention th fastening members 3 are rotatably orpivotally supported in a loop 22 formed in the fabric itself.

In order that the fastening device 3 carried by the respective members Iand 2 may be interlocked with one another to secure the two opposedmembers together I have provided a slide which envelopes or telescopes anumber of the fastening devices as it is moved in either direction. Theslide l4 comprises a hollow body through which the fastening devicespass when the slide is operated, the internal side walls of the slidebeing formed with oppositely disposed track surfaces 23 and 24 and beinginclined or cammed at 23' and 24, respectively so that when the twosections of the slide illustrated in Figures 5 and 'I are assembledtogether the cam surfaces 23' will lie on opposite sides of the slideand along the upper portion thereof, while the cam surfaces 24' will lieon opposite sides and along the lower portion thereof. The tracksurfaces 23 and 24 of each slide section lie in substantially the sameplane while the track surfaces 23 and 24 of the other complementarysection of the slide lie in the same plane with respect to each otherbut in planes parallel to the planes of the respective tracks of thefirst mentioned section.

In the arrangement of the parts as shown in Figure 1, it will be seenthat the arms 4 of the fastening devices lie under the support 2 whilethe arms 5 overlie the top surface thereof, and with respect to supportI the relation of arms 4 and 5 is reversed. In this manner the toothprojections l2 which extend laterally of the arms 4 respectively willengage and slide upon the track and cam surfaces 24 and 24' of the slidewhile the tooth projections l3 of the arms 5 respectively will engageand slide upon the track and cam surfaces 23 and 23' of the slide. Thusas the slide is moved upwardly in Figure 1 the fastening devices 3 onmember I- will rotate in a clockwise direction while the devices 3 onthe support 2 will rotate in a counter clockwise direction to interlockwith each other in staggered series relation. the lugs 9 and 9' enteringthe respective notches I0 and III of the respective adjacent fasteningmembers. As these members are rotated the teeth I 2 ride up along thecam surfaces 24' while the teeth l3 ride down the reversed cam surfaces23', thus imparting positive rotative moeerie tion shown in the upperpart of Figure 9. This tion to the devices 3 without the danger 'ofbinding.

Conversely, as the slide I4 is moved downwardly in Figure 1 the actionand direction of rotation of the members 3 will be reversed to disengagethe previously interlocked members 3.

It will be noted that when'the fastening devices 3 of the opposed seriesare disengaged as illustrated in the upper portion of Figure 1, the lugs9 and 9' of adjacent devices in each of the series will be engaged inthe respective notches H and II, whereby to lock the fastening devicesof each series in the released position shown.

.In Figure 6 I haveillustrated a locking key formed with an intermediatesection 25 insertible in the aligned slots 26 of the slide sections l4and H, for clamping the same together, and a pair of binding members 21and 28 which outwardly engage the respective slide sections to bind themtogether. The member 28 is provided with an elongated slot 29 forreceiving a finger tab or grip 30 by which the slide is operated. Othersuitable means may be provided if desired to secure the slide sectionstogether.

In Figures 9 to 13, inclusive, I have illustrated a modified form of theinvention which in principle is similar to the form shown in Figures 1to 8, inclusive.

However, in the modified form I have shown a type of fastening device orunit in which it is unnecessary to provide the notches lO-Ill' and ll-|I in order to lock the units of one series out of engagement with theunits of the other series.

As shown in detail in Figure 11, the modified fastening device or unit3| comprises a U-shaped member having a head portion 32 and a pair ofsubstantially parallel arms 33 and 34 having aligned openings 35 bywhich the units are pivotally or rotatably supported on pins 36 in thesupporting members I and 2. The arm 33 is formed at its free end with alaterally extending toothed projection 31, while the free end of the arm34 is of concave formation as shown at 38.

Each of the units 3| is pivotally or rotatably secured to the respectivelugs 39 by means of the pins 36 carried by the supports l and 2.

In this modified form of the invention the slide 4! is formed withoppositely disposed spaced abutments 42 and 43 lying in substantiallyparallel planes on each side and internally of the slide. As in the formpreviously described the slide envelopes or telescopes the fasteningunits as it is moved along the supporting members I and 2. During anupward movement of the slide to interlock the respective opposed unitsas in Figure 9, the abutments 42 of one side of the slide will engagethe toothed projections 31 of the units of each series to rotate towardeach other in interlocking engagement while the ends 38 of the arms 34will enter the clearance at 44. As the units assume an interlockingposition the outwardly projecting lugs 4545' extending from the convexhead 32 of the adjacent units of both series will overlie and interlockwith the adjacent lugs of the adjacent units, respectively.

When the slide is moved downwardly as in Figure 9 the abutments 43 willengage the arms 34 progressively along one edge to rotate the respectiveunits of the series away from each other and out of interlockingengagement as shown in Figures 9 and 12.

It will be noted that the adjacent units 3| of each series are nestedand locked in the posi- Ill locking action is possible by virtue of thefact that the curvature of the convex heads 32 is formed about a radiusequivalent to that of the curvature of the concave end 38 of the arms34. Thus in approaching the nested position the convex surface of eachunit head will slide into the concave portion of the arm 34. In thismanner the units of each series may be locked out of interlockingposition with the units of the other series.

The supporting members I and 2 illustrated in the drawings may besecured to the objects to be brought together by rivets, welding,stitching or the like. In the illustration I have shown openings 40along the outer edges of the supports for receiving rivets or othersecuring means for this purpose. In Figure 3 the fastening devices 3 arerotatably carried in loops formed in a fabricated object 2|, thuseliminating a separate supporting strip.

Various changes may be made in the details of construction andarrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the inventionor the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a slide fastener, a pair of rigid supporting members, a series ofinterlocking fasteners rotatably mounted along adjacent sides of therespective supports, movable means for rotating the fasteners of oneseries progressively into and out of interlocking engagement with thefasteners of the other series, the adjacent fasteners of each serieshaving cooperating engageable portions for retaining the adjacentfasteners of each respective series in alignment with each other whendisengaged from the respective fasteners of the other series.

2. A slide fastener comprising a pair of spaced parallel supports, aplurality of interlocking fastening devices pivotally carried along theadjacent edges of each support and adapted to be swung into interlockingengagement, and a slide movable along said fastening devices, said slidehaving a pair of oppositely disposed cam surfaces along opposite sidesthereof each of said devices having projections engageable with therespective cam surfaces of the slide whereby upon movement of the slidein one direction said devices may be interlocked progressively and uponmovement of the slide in an opposite direction said de vices may bedisengaged progressively and cooperating means on the respective devicescarried by each support for maintaining said respective devices on eachsupport in engagement with each other when said slide is moved in saidopposite direction.

3. In a slide fastener, a pair of supporting members. a series ofinterlocking devices pivotally carried by each of said supports, meansmovable along the supports for progressively rotating the devices ofeach support into or out of interlocking engagement with each other, andcooperating means on the adjacent devices of each series for maintainingthe said devices of one series out of engagement with the devices of theother series when the devices of both series are not in interlockingengagement with each other.

4. In a slide fastener, a pair of substantially parallel rigidsupporting members, a plurality of interlocking members pivotallycarried by each supporting member, and a slide movable along the supportand said members to progressively rotate said members into or out ofinterlocking engagement with each other, each of said pivoted membersbeing of substantially U-shape and having rearwardiy extending armsoverlying both sides of said supports, said arms and said slide beingformed with cooperating engageable portions for rotating saidinterlocking members.

5. In a slide fastener, a pair of supporting members, a series ofinterlocking devices pivotally carried by each of said supports, meansmovable along the supports for progressively rotating the devices ofeach support into or out of interlocking engagement with each other,said movable means comprising a slide having channels therein alongopposite sides thereot for receiving the respective series ofinterlocking devices, the walls of each of said channels being formed toprovide a recess intermediate the ends of said channel for rotatablyreceiving a projecting portion of each device of a respective series assaid means is moved therealong, and projecting portions on said devices,engageable with a wall or said recess to impart a rotative movement tothe devices upon 10 their movement along said channel.

SAMUEL HARRY NORTON.

